How to Accept Card Payments with a U.S. LLC (Stripe, PayPal and More)

Being able to charge clients by card is one of the biggest reasons to form a U.S. LLC. Once you have an LLC, an EIN and a U.S. bank account, you can usually start accepting card payments without an SSN. Here’s how to pick the right processor and avoid frozen accounts.

Before you start

Most processors ask for:

• Your LLC’s Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement
• Your EIN confirmation letter (CP 575)
• A U.S. business address
• Your passport and proof of your home address (a utility bill or bank statement)
• A U.S. bank account to receive payouts
• A website with clear Terms of Service, Privacy Policy and Refund Policy

That last point matters: processors review your website, and missing policies are one of the most common reasons non-resident accounts get flagged.

Your options

• Stripe: the standard for online businesses, SaaS and e-commerce. It supports foreign-owned U.S. LLCs, has great tools and accepts 135+ currencies. Around 2.9% + $0.30 per payment.
• WHOP: built for digital products, courses and memberships. Slightly lower fees (around 2.7% + $0.30), with a built-in storefront and checkout.
• Shopify Payments: the best choice if you run a Shopify store, since it avoids Shopify’s extra fee for outside gateways.
• PayPal: many customers trust it, so it’s a good second option. It often asks for an SSN or ITIN, so it can be harder to open without one.
• Merchant of Record (Paddle, Lemon Squeezy): they become the legal seller and handle sales tax and VAT for you. Higher fees (around 5–8%), but much less paperwork and fewer freezes. Great for software and digital products sold worldwide.
• Marketplaces (Amazon, Etsy): the platform processes payments and pays you directly, so you don’t need your own processor there.

Fees change often. Check each provider’s current pricing before signing up.

How to avoid frozen accounts

• Use more than one processor. A primary (for example Stripe) plus a backup keeps you getting paid if one account is reviewed.
• Describe your business clearly and make sure your website matches what you sell.
• Grow volume gradually. Sudden spikes in sales can trigger reviews.
• Keep your documents consistent: the same names and addresses everywhere.

A simple path that works for most

1. Start with Stripe (or WHOP for digital products).
2. Add PayPal for customers who prefer it, once you’re eligible.
3. As your volume grows, look at a dedicated merchant account for lower fees.

Need help?

VCG helps you choose the right processors for your business and get set up without surprises. If your budget is tight, ask us about working in exchange for equity, services or referrals.

Book a free consultation with Mauricio →

Sources: based on guidance from James Baker, CPA, VCG’s U.S. tax partner. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.